Tamper resistant box system

ABSTRACT

A tamper resistant box system and method including a roll of tape for dispensing sections of a tape and string assembly. The tape and string assembly having a tape-member with string running integral with and center-parallel to the tape-member. At least one of the sections of the tape and string assembly is configured to be adhered to a food container and seal contents within in a tamper resistant manner. When the sections of tape and string assembly are removed and tampered with, evidence of tampering is visually displayed for a consumer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of tape and more specifically relates to tamper resistant seals for packages.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Fast foods are foods sold in a restaurant with preheated or precooked ingredients. Sometimes, customers prefer fast food as a take away or home delivery option. Typically, fast food restaurants or stores deliver the food to customers in packaged form. Existing containers include containers made of cardboard panels, which are folded to define a space for storing the food, for example, pizzas, burgers, etc. However, in the existing containers, the top panels and bottom panels are often interlocked to partially ‘seal’ the container. This allows the stored content of the container to be tampered with without much effort. In certain cases, contaminants may enter the container if the container is not closed carefully. Conventionally, the pizza delivery industry is focused on delivering a product as fresh as possible with less emphasis on food safety. Typically, most delivery personnel could be anyone with a car with no food safety training or food handling experience. It is not unreasonable to assume that a hungry or disgruntled employee could easily tamper with the container to cause indirect harm to the consumer. Thirty-five percent of most food borne illnesses are the direct result of unhygienic employees and some may be attributed to careless delivery personnel handling of the food items. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0304235 to Michael Herkenrath relates to a tamper-evident food delivery container. The described tamper-evident food delivery container includes a tamper-evident food delivery container comprising a basin portion and a cover portion. The basin portion is enclosed by a first plurality of sidewalls and the cover portion is enclosed by a second plurality of sidewalls. The tamper-evident food delivery container also includes a flap extending from either the first or second plurality of sidewalls, and operable to be affixed to the other of the first or second plurality of sidewalls to seal the tamper-evident food delivery container. A pull tab disposed in the flap is operable to be pulled to detach a portion of the flap, and to allow access to the food delivery container when the pull tab is detached. A closing mechanism is also provided to prevent the food delivery container from opening automatically once the pull tab is detached.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known tape art, the present disclosure provides a novel tamper resistant box system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a tamper resistant seal for delivery and takeout food packages.

A tamper resistant box system is disclosed herein. The tamper resistant box system includes a roll of tape for dispensing sections of a tape and string assembly. The tape and string assembly comprises a tape-member with string running integral with and preferably ‘center-parallel’ to the tape-member. At least one of the sections of the tape and string assembly is configured to be adhered to a food container and seal contents within in a tamper resistant manner. When the sections of tape and string assembly are removed and tampered with, evidence of tampering is visually displayed for a consumer.

The sections of tape and string assembly when adhered to the food container are configured to create a ‘seal’ (of sorts). The ‘seal’ is configured to be broken by the consumer and allow the consumer to open the food container. The tamper resistant box system and method may be used on food containers used for delivery and the takeout orders of food such that evidence of tampering/non-tampering is evident. The roll of tape and the sections of tape and string assembly includes a sealing-member. The sealing-member is configured on the sections of tape and string assembly and includes a string-center. The seal created by the sections of tape and string assembly is configured to be ‘broken’ at the string-center by the consumer. The ‘seal’ is created between the lid and a base of the food container. The present invention provides a tamper resistant sealing means and a visual indication for detecting if a food container has been tampered with. The device is not intended to provide an air-tight seal but may provide some sealing means from the ambient environment if the openings on the host-box and covered.

A method of using a tamper resistant box system to create a seal and indication of tampering comprising the steps of providing a tamper resistant box system including a roll of tape for dispensing sections of tape; removing at least one of the sections of tape; applying each of the sections of tape to a food container desired to create a tamper resistant seal and indicator; and breaking the seal to access contents of the food container; and removing the sections of tape (upon review if the tape assembly has not been tampered with).

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a tamper resistant box system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tamper resistant box system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tamper resistant box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tamper resistant box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tamper resistant box system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the tamper resistant box system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to tape and more particularly to a tamper resistant box system as used to improve the packaging of boxes for takeout and delivery orders of food and to deter tampering with food items.

Generally, the invention is a tamper proof ‘seal’ or tape to use with takeout and delivery food containers such as a pizza box. The tape is configured to prevent food being tampered with by a delivery person. The tape includes a string section running along a length of the tape. If the tape is ripped or the string has been tampered with thereby breaking a seal, then the end consumer can deduce that the food container has been opened or tampered with. The tape may be applied to three sides of pizza box and seal the lid to the box. The string is placed in the center of the tape to remove or open the tape.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a tamper resistant box system 100. FIG. 1 shows a tamper resistant box system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the tamper resistant box system 100 may include a roll of tape 110 for dispensing sections of a tape and string assembly 120. The tape and string assembly 120 comprises a tape-member 130 with string 132 preferably running integral with and center-parallel to the tape-member 130. At least one of the sections of the tape and string assembly 120 is configured to be adhered to a food container 10 and seal (or not seal) contents within in a tamper resistant manner. When the sections of tape and string assembly 120 are removed and tampered with, evidence of tampering is visually displayed for a consumer.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tamper resistant box system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the tamper resistant box system 100 may include the roll of tape 110 for dispensing the sections of a tape and string assembly 120 to be applied to a food container 10. The food container 10 may include a plurality of containers such as a pizza box or a non-pizza box comprising cardboard, plastic, or other suitable materials for takeout and delivery of food. In one embodiment, the food container 10 is a pizza box which includes a first-top-edge 15, a second-top-edge 20, a third-top-edge 25, and a fourth-top-edge 30. One of the sections of tape and string assembly 120 is configured to be applied to the first-top-edge 15, the second-top-edge 20, and the third-top-edge 25. The sections of tape and string assembly 120 seal (or affix to) a lid 35 of the food container 10 to the first-top-edge 15, the second-top-edge 20, and the third-top-edge 25. The sections of the tape and string assembly 120 are adapted for indicating to the consumer that the food container 10 has not been opened since the tape-members 130 are engaged with the food container. The string 132 is configured to be pulled and separate portions of the section of tape and string assembly 130 allowing a user to open the food container 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a perspective view of the tamper resistant box system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the tamper resistant box system 100 including sections of tape and string assembly 120 which when adhered to the food container 10 are configured to create a seal. The seal is configured to be broken by the consumer and allow the consumer to open the food container 10. The tamper resistant box system 100 is configured to be used for delivery and takeout orders of food with the food containers 10 used for delivery and the takeout orders of food. The roll of tape 110 and the sections of tape and string assembly 120 includes a sealing-member. The sealing-member is configured on the sections of tape and string assembly 120 and includes a string-center. The seal created by the sections of tape and string assembly 120 is configured to be broken at the string-center by the consumer. The seal is created between the lid 35 and a base of the food container 10.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the tamper resistant box system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the tamper resistant box system 100 may include the roll of tape 110 for dispensing sections of the tape and string assembly 120. The roll of tape 110 may be provided on a tape-dispenser. The sections of tape and string assembly 120 are disposable and configured for a single sanitary use for sealing a takeout or delivery food container 10.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing flowchart 550 illustrating method of sealing a food container 500 using tamper resistant box system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4. As shown, method of sealing a food container 500 may comprise the steps of: step one 501, providing a tamper resistant box system including a roll of tape for dispensing sections of tape; step two 502, removing at least one of the sections of tape; step three 503, applying each of the sections of tape to a food container to create a tamper resistant seal and indicator; step four 504, breaking the seal to access contents of the food container; and step five 505, removing the sections of tape.

It should be noted that step five 505 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of sealing a food container 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of sealing a food container 500. The reference to sealing may include sealing from ambient conditions or just may refer to creating a taping/bonding means whereby when altered gives a visual indication of the occurrence.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A tamper resistant box system comprising: a roll of tape for dispensing sections of a tape and string assembly; wherein said tape and string assembly comprises a tape-member with string running integral with and center-parallel to said tape-member; wherein at least one of said sections of said tape and string assembly is configured to be adhered to a food container and seal contents within in a tamper resistant manner; and wherein when said sections of tape and string assembly are removed and tampered with, evidence of tampering is visually displayed for a consumer.
 2. The tamper resistant box system of claim 1, wherein said food container includes a pizza box.
 3. The tamper resistant box system of claim 1, wherein said food container includes a non-pizza box.
 4. The tamper resistant box system of claim 2, wherein said pizza box includes a first-top-edge, a second-top-edge, a third-top-edge, and a fourth-top-edge.
 5. The tamper resistant box system of claim 4, wherein one of said sections of tape and string assembly is configured to be applied to said first-top-edge, said second-top-edge, and said third-top-edge.
 6. The tamper resistant box system of claim 5, wherein said sections of tape and string assembly seal a lid of said food container to said first-top-edge, said second-top-edge, and said third-top-edge.
 7. The tamper resistant box system of claim 1, wherein said sections of said tape and string assembly are adapted for indicating to said consumer that said food container has not been opened since said tape-members are engaged with said food container.
 8. The tamper resistant box system of claim 1, wherein said sections of tape and string assembly when adhered to said food container is configured to create a seal.
 9. The tamper resistant box system of claim 8, wherein said seal is configured to be broken by said consumer and allow said consumer to open said food container.
 10. The tamper resistant box system of claim 1, wherein said tamper resistant box system is configured to be used for delivery and takeout orders of food with said food containers used for delivery and said takeout orders of food.
 11. The tamper resistant box system of claim 6, wherein said roll of tape and said sections of tape and string assembly includes a sealing-member.
 12. The tamper resistant box system of claim 11, wherein said sealing-member is configured on said sections of tape and string assembly and includes a string-center.
 13. The tamper resistant box system of claim 12, wherein said seal created by said sections of tape and string assembly is configured to be broken at said string-center by said consumer.
 14. The tamper resistant box system of claim 13, wherein said seal is created between said lid and a base of said food container.
 15. The tamper resistant box system of claim 1, wherein said sections of tape and string assembly are disposable.
 16. The tamper resistant box system of claim 1, wherein said roll of tape is provided on a tape-dispenser.
 17. A tamper resistant box system comprising: a roll of tape for dispensing sections of a tape and string assembly; wherein said tape and string assembly comprises a tape-member with string running integral with and center-parallel to said tape-member; wherein at least one of said sections of said tape and string assembly is configured to be adhered to a food container and seal contents within in a tamper resistant manner; wherein said food container includes a pizza box; wherein said pizza box includes a first-top-edge, a second-top-edge, a third-top-edge, and a fourth-top-edge; wherein one of said sections of tape and string assembly is configured to be applied to said first-top-edge, said second-top-edge, and said third-top-edge; wherein said sections of tape and string assembly seal a lid of said food container to said first-top-edge, said second-top-edge, and said third-top-edge; wherein said sections of tape and string assembly when adhered to said food container is configured to create a seal; wherein said seal is configured to be broken by said consumer and allow said consumer to open said food container; wherein said roll of tape and said sections of tape and string assembly includes a sealing-member; wherein said sealing-member is configured on said sections of tape and string assembly and includes a string-center; wherein said seal created by said sections of tape and string assembly is configured to be broken at said string-center by said consumer; wherein said seal is created between said lid and a base of said food container; wherein said sections of said tape and string assembly are adapted for indicating to said consumer that said food container has not been opened since said tape-members are engaged with said food container; wherein when said sections of tape and string assembly are removed and tampered with, evidence of tampering is visually displayed for a consumer; and wherein said tamper resistant box system is configured to be used for delivery and takeout orders of food with said food containers used for delivery and said takeout orders of food.
 18. A method of using a tamper resistant box system comprising the steps of: providing a tamper resistant box system including a roll of tape for dispensing sections of tape; removing at least one of said sections of tape; applying each of said sections of tape to a food container to create a tamper resistant seal and indicator; and breaking said seal to access contents of said food container.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of: removing said sections of tape. 